Gearing up for first-ever dove season

[Hamilton Reef]

Michiganders gearing up for first-ever dove season

It won't become official until Thursday evening, but Michigan's first-ever dove hunting season is likely to start 30 minutes before sunrise Friday morning.

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/statewide/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/10939884009470.xml

[TnRidge]

Good luck ! Bring a box or 2 of shells . It's a blast if you are on a productive field .It's a Sept. 1st tradition down here in Tennessee .

[victor mi pro bowhunter]

good luck I'm buying a stamp but just to support it not going two be hunting them this year

[D_Hunter]

Just bought a box of Decoys for doves last night...not sure if they will work but hey....I tried.

I will be down in Lenawee County hunting opening day. I wanted to be part of the inaugural season for Doves in Michigan. Something to look back at I guess.

Good luck to those that are planning to hunt.

Victor...even though you are not planning on hunting this season. Thanks for buying the stamp and showing your support. That is GREAT idea. Maybe more will follow your lead.....

[brdhntr]

Just bought a box of Decoys for doves last night...not sure if they will work but hey....I tried.

....

I have used decoys for them for years, and they are money well spent.

[D_Hunter]

brdhntr--any tips on how/where to place these? The ones that I bought have a clothes pin attached to them to hang on fences, branches, ect.

I figured I would place them close to where I am sitting?

Thanks.

[wyle_e_coyote]

Do you think it is safe to spend the $ on the robo type dove decoys? I want to, but what if they have some regulation against it? I will be hunting allot of cut hay fields. I think they would work good for me there.

[D_Hunter]

As of this time, there is nothing against the Robo Dove. Decoys are legal to use in Michigan for Doves and that would include the Robo.

I was looking at them last night myself but choose not to buy one.....

Of course, the NRC is meeting today to finalize the Dove hunt season and regulations. So, stay tuned and check the DNR website.

www.michigan.gov/dnr (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr)

[brdhntr]

Do you think it is safe to spend the $ on the robo type dove decoys? I want to, but what if they have some regulation against it? I will be hunting allot of cut hay fields. I think they would work good for me there.

IMHO, the robo is well worth the money. It will bring a lot of birds right in on top of you. Doesn't work as well if you have people close by shooting at them, but they will almost always do a fly by.

My current, usual, setup is a robo (or 3) with half dozen of the feather flex decoys setting on the ground around it. Looks like a feeding flock.

Sometimes, I just use the robo.

Another option is to take 2 (or 3) 5'(easier to carry) sections of conduit, and use a coupler to put them together to make a long pole. Stick it in the ground, and place a dead branch in the top. Attach the decoys to the branch. Place in the ground where flying birds can see it.

I like to sit about 20 yds from the decoys. Key is let the birds tell you what they want. If birds are not responding and flying into a different spot, move. Don't sit all day in one spot if the birds aren't coming in.

Oh, and if you have decent dove numbers in the area, bring lots of shells.

[wyle_e_coyote]

brdhntr, Thanks that was great info.. I will try that trick with the conduit.

[Hamilton Reef]

Michigan hunters ready for anticipated mourning dove season
State gears up for likely Friday opening; opponents hope to get issue on 2006 ballot

For two decades, Bob Garner often made long treks to Indiana with his wife and son for the annual tradition of dove hunting.
But this Friday, Garner is planning on hunting the fast-flying bird known for its song a little closer to home.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/metro/0409/09/b01-268336.htm

[Neal]

I won't be hunting doves this year, but I'll be buying a stamp in support online

Buy Online Here (http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/welcome.asp)

Neal